Flow Meter - needed?

[veesix]

Hi, I've just got my first MIG set up with a bottle of argoshield light from the volkszone offer. The regulator i'm using a a "single state" parweld item, with 2 gauges (one to 300bar for cylinder pressure, and the other is marked in LPM). Is it recommended to get a flow meter? Also, should the reg still show pressure when the cylinder valve is closed? (Currently showing ~100bar after the cylinder valve being closed for around an hour).
Thanks!

 

[rtbcomp]

Welcome to the Forum.

The one labelled LPM is a flow meter - LPM - litres per minute.

If the reg is showing 100 bar after an hour from turning the bottle valve off that means you haven't got any significant leaks, which is a Good Thing.

After turning the bottle off you should pull the trigger momentarily to empty the hose & regulator so that the pressure reads zero, this will remove any stress from the diaphram in the regulator.

 

[Hitch]

And unwind the adjusting handle, once the cylinder valve is closed.

 

[veesix]

Cheers guys

 

[FranV8]

You can get awy qithout a 'proper' flowmeter - the real benefit I've found of having one is the ease at getting back to known numbers for different welds and also the needle valve they have on the side makes it easier to adjust flow than the regulator.

When I was using MIG, I'd just keep backing off on the regulator until I started to see the symptoms of lack of shield gas on the welds, then notch it back up a little. That'll give you maximum economy.